Hello all,


To give you a little background, My previous cars have been among many, E92 M3 6MT, GTR, and now F10 M5 with Competition Package.
I bought the M5 thinking that it's the best all arounder, being able to haul my family (wife, 2 year old son and daughter being born next month) and golfbags and etc and using it as a daily driver for work commute (around 45~1hr with traffic)
Unfortunately, my love for the car is disappearing daily as I find it *boring*. Don't get me wrong, the sheer power of the 575bhp the car has is intoxicating when you step on the gas, but let's face it, I live in NY and how often do I really get to use all that power. I believe it has to do with the fact that its not MT, the sound is bleh, and last but not least car is just too heavy.
Also, the two BMW Ms I've owned both had/has interior noises, though I am very sensitive about it, it has been driving me crazy and I simply do not think a $100K car should have these problems. You take it to the dealer and they are so busy with servicing the 328s and the x5s due to its "free maintenance warranty" they are always coming back to me with "unable to duplicate concern" With that being said, I believe my M5 will be the last BMW I will be purchasing.
Enough ranting, here are my picks so far and I need your help


1. 991 911 Turbo (Unforunately not available in MT )
Likes - Performance, great design, resale value, daily-able, rear seats
Dislikes - Exhaust/Engine sound not really there, no 6MT,most expensive option out of the three


2. Aston Martin Vantage V8 GT (6MT)
Likes - Classic hand made luxurious feel, 6mt, ENGINE AND EXHAUST SOUND!!!
Dislikes - Reliability? Maintenance Cost, Resale Value, performance compared to cars in the price range, technology


3. AudI R8 V8 (6MT, I was informed they will stop making MTs starting for 2016 models)
Likes - Head-Turning design, V8 NA sound
Dislikes - Maybe the same experience as the BMW? Expensive compared to performance, outdated interior, no storage.


Any thoughts? Am I misinformed about anything? Please let me know what you think.


Best regards,
Sejin.

 

what's your budget?
how long are you planing to keep the car?
Will it be a DD?

 

Out of those three, no brainer, TT or TTS. Install an aftermarket exhaust and tune for sound candy.
Now if you said between 458, Huracan, and TT I wouldn't know what to tell you.

 

Sejzilla,

I had the exact same line up as you did, i also had an X5M plus some others shoved in there.

While now I've left the BMW family I still think its a great car. The M5 would have been a keeper for me except it needed AWD, or I had to change to winters which I didn't want to do. I thought for a highway cruiser the M5 was awesome.

When I was out shopping it was between a 911 TTS and McLaren 12C.

If you have any intentions of fitting kids in the rear the 911 is your only choice. and its AWD so you could theoretically drive it in the winter. its also got good ground clearance.

i used to be able to fit my 11 and 8 year old into rear of the car, now 9 months later I can only fit my 9 year old.

That said, if I only could pick one car, I would buy a 15 Cayenne Turbo S as a DD. I bought a Macan Turbo for a DD but only because I have my TTS plus my newest baby the GT3.

And I'm from Bayside!!

Jeff

 

TTS among the three you listed, although consider the Audi S8 if you want a very fast car that has room for people and stuff. With winter tires absolutely no problem in icy/snowy conditions. The S8 is perhaps the best value on the market used or new and is the fastest four-door. The front end of the S8 is not for me, but the rest of the car is extremely impressive. For a remarkable driving experience can't beat the Pan TT or TTS depending on your budget. Or do what I did and get a 991 TTS and a Pan GTS.

 

Around a $150K
Hopefully 5 years or so, but who knows I seem to get bored every year or so
Yes it will be a DD

 

Hello Jeff!
Thank you for sharing.
My wife has a GL550 for the kid and soon to be kids, although I wouldnt know how to tell my son he cant ride in dads car. I test drove the cayenne gts and thought it was a great car as well.

Great to *meet* a former bayside neighbor. Though now im in Manhasset myself with the crazy taxes.

 

Funny thats how I ended up in the TTS. I took the 12C out and my son fit in the front but my daughter asked where she would sit. That was the end of the 12C.

I depends on what your going for. I will tell you the GT3 is a FANTASTIC CAR. I got it from Porsche of Huntington. I thought the TTS was exciting, the GT3 makes the TTS feel numb.

Jeff

 

If DD then it's a no brainier, 991 hands down. These things are built like tanks for everyday use. If you are going to use it for weekend drives and simply want flash and noise, then I would expand the search to include the tinsel cars you mentioned. Drive them all, choose what you like!

 

GT3s ride is a bit too harsh for everyday usability no? Can I ask who youve dealt with at porsche of huntington? Good experience? Also, when did they stop producing 6MT? Does 2014 GT3 or TT have 6MT available?

 

Great choices. Depends a bit on whether you want to have to drive the GL more since every time you go out with the family you will have no choice. I added a TT to a M5/Cayenne GTS combo.

Also depends on how much attention you want while you are out. Can be good or bad.

 

same as my current situation, having 2 super young kids, and driving a AMG (well, the E63 drives more exciting than the M5 I feel!)
If you have to or want to put the kids in, TT is the only choice left. For 150k, you cant get the TTS.
If not, I am thinking the MP4-12C. Great value and drives better and more exotic than the TT but still can be a DD.

 

I think the GT3 is too rough but people who use it as a DD don't get the bucket seats they get the standard or 18 way power seats. The TT AND GT3 only come in PDK and I will tell you, most are loving the PDK. Do I miss shifting little bit, sure I do, does PDK shift better than I do and make better music? absolutely.

But if you look at the GT3 forums many do use it as a DD.

Jeff

 

Given that you live in New York and close to the city I would not contemplate the GT3 as a daily driver. It smokes like crazy at start up. It also has extremely low ground clearance and one of the smallest allowable approach angles to inclines of any car out there. It does have an option of a $3500 lifting system in the front but that only lifts the car at 1.1 inches. The 991 Turbo and Turbo S have almost double the ground clearance and with the inflatable front splitter, double the allowable approach angle to an incline of the GT3. I just can't imagine using a car with virtually no ground clearance as a daily driver in the New York City area. If you just want it as a track toy that's a different story and the GT3 is more fun.

If you are thinking Audi R8 why not get the V10? Eight cylinder model is slow slow slow compared to its peers. And the car does not strike me as a practical daily driver.

Aston Martin is a gorgeous car. But if you're into really fine driving machines I wouldn't buy it. The 991 TT will drive infinitely better although it will not have the cachet or attract the attention of the Aston Martin.

If you're already thinking 991 Turbo you could look for a leftover 2014 991 Turbo S. You can score one in the $160s. As I'm sure you know by the time you option up the 991 TT with all of the performance options that come standard on the TTS you would be in that price range anyway if not more. That is the route I chose -- a brand new leftover 991 TTS for 991 TT money or less.

 

I'd get the S63 amg or a pan TT/TTS. Don't get the 911 if you want kids in the back. Audi S8 is a good choice. But out of the 3 I would do pan, s63, then audi.